My approach to everything from our coffee table to the way I dress is very casual. I always want people to feel comfortable and at ease when they are in our home. Our coffee table has been around the block…several times. It’s a perfect square. We found it at RJ Imports when we lived in California for the second time. It was in our family room and then when we moved back to Connecticut it found its home in the attic where it saw many hot pizza boxes and drinks left for hours, if not days, thanks to teenage boys. When we moved to this house it found its way back into our living room. It’s a little worse for wear, but this table built many years ago and imported from India has not even a single nail. I love it for all its imperfections.

Minimal Coffee Table: Branches, stones, candle

Coffee table with a few favorites: Books, rocks, plants

I almost always have a few books, candles, and collections, like white stones found in Montauk and matches from our favorite restaurants. I am so excited when a restaurant still has match books. It’s always a good sign of a great restaurant. In the photo above I placed potted plants in the cloth bags that come with sheet sets from Serena & Lily. I love to repurpose little things like that.

Long lasting wax flowers, vintage candlesticks, books & beads

I think most would agree that it’s nice to have something fresh like flowers or a plant. And of course the shape and size of your table dictates the amount of things to have on it. In our former home, the sitting area in front of the fireplace was actually pretty small and the only coffee table I could find that would give us enough room to walk around comfortably, was actually a bench. I think a bench is an excellent solution to a coffee table for multiple reasons. It’s long and narrow shape naturally fits well between two sofas. And, in a pinch, it’s also extra seating.

Use a bench as a coffee table in small or tight spaces

Madeline has a very tiny NYC apartment and uses a bench that can be used in front of the sofa or against a wall opposite the sofa if extra seating is needed. She keeps it nice and tidy with a trio of her favorite candles or votives on a tray, the current issue of her favorite magazines and a stem of something in a small vase.

Madeline’s small NYC apartment

When I think about the items that get center stage so-to-speak on the coffee table, I like to think that they reflect our values and these are the items that create a meaningful and authentic home. Rocks are not just a pile of rocks. Each one tells a story. What story does your coffee table tell?

Annie, I love your wooden table and it’s even better with all the years of wear and love don’t you think? These are great ideas and I am going to use the cute idea of the sheet bag for plants or flowers as I have a pretty one from Coyuchi. Madeline is just like her mom! What a charming space she created. My close friend also just repurposed a bench for a coffee table and it looks fantastic. Annie your new home is gorgeous. I cannot wait to see more of it! xo Kim

You have such a refined elegance in the simplicity of natural elements. Good advice about the bench, too. How cozy and stylish is Madeline’s apartment…she must love it.

So great that you are embracing the “kid use” marks on the table…I have some warping due to beer bottles left out overnight on our coffee table (college kids home and we were gone for the night)…so thanks for making me finally get over it.

I knew I was going to love your tables when I got your preview pics. I love the juxtaposition of the modern IKEA shelving with the rustic coffee table. You know your style and your brand and you do it effortlessly! I have learned so much from you!

MY COFFEE TABLE SAYS,”She is a COLLECTOR of Sorts!”She has too much of everything SHE COLLECTS and NOT enough surface space to SHOW it properly!AT this stage in LIFE I should be editing BUT NO CAN’T DO THAT YET!!!!!! I use Most of what is ON my COFFEE TABLE…….be it the books or silver vases, or eat the CANDY!I see you have FORAGED FLORA!I just met the author last week and I am in the middle of READING IT!SHE VALIDATED ME TO THE CORE as I love a brown leaf as much as a perfect GREEN ONE!She taught me a NEW WORD………GLEANING!YOU could say I GLEAN the VINTAGE SHOPS and CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUES and that’s how I end up with STUFF on my COFFEE TABLE! LOVE YOUR COFFEE TABLE………..it has SERVED YOU AND THE BOYS WELL! Keep ON KEEPING ON!!!!!!! YOUR TABLE SPEAKS TO ME!

Well…I love your coffee table because it tells your story loud and clear! You are a collector of beautiful things and having a sparse table top would just seems so out of place…from the little I know about you….I hope to meet you one day in person…off to read my foraged flora book again! What fun to meet the author!

Annie, I love the simplicity and the history and wear on the coffee table only makes it better! Your daughter’s coffee table is charming as well. Thanks for sharing.

P.S. I no longer get email notices that you have a new post. I tried to re-subscribe but Pic Monkey says I’ve already subscribed. I don’t imagine you would know what’s wrong, but I wanted you to know since I love your site and posts. Karen